On Air Force Day, IAF disproves Pak claim of shooting down Sukhoi fighter
New Delhi : The Indian Air Force on its 87th birthday surprised all by proving Pakistan claims of shooting down Indian Sukhoi-30MKI in February completely false.
In the clear skies above Hindon Air Force Station near Delhi, three nimble French-origin Mirage-2000s flanked by two larger Sukhoi-30MKI multirole fighter jets flew in what is known as the "Avenger" formation as the spectators below cheered for them.
What made everyone surprised was the flying Sukhoi-30MKI on the extreme right (also known as Avenger 1). This is the same aircraft which Pakistan had claimed that they shot down in February.
Making the situation more embarrassing for the Pakistan, the two pilot crew who was flying the aircraft today was the same crew flying it on February 27, one day after Indian Air Force jets had bombed the Balakot region with Israeli bombs to wipe out terror camps.
"We acknowledge the contributions of all personnel of Commands, Stations and Units who silently and professionally contributed to the success of the air strikes on the terrorist camps at Balakot earlier this year," Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said today at Hindon Air Force Station. Army chief General Bipin Rawat also attended the event.
The Indian Air Force had cleared earlier too that the Pakistan's claims are just to coverup their own goofup of shooting down their own aircraft, an American-made F-16.
Today is also a significant day for the IAF for another reason - Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will take delivery of India's newest multirole fighter jet Rafale in France.
